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Partnership enables time bank credits to be ‘spent’ at Cadw sites

Partnership enables time bank credits to be ‘spent’ at Cadw sites

Friday 24 October 2014

A community scheme initiative is set to benefit from a partnership with Cadw as credits earned through time banks can now be exchanged for free entry into any site.

Timebanking at Cadw sites

Timebanking UK allows participants to carry out an hour’s voluntary work in their local communities in return for one time credit. As well as providing numerous benefits to the community, participating in a time bank scheme can help individuals gain confidence, skills and experience, which may in turn help them into work. Membership offers an opportunity to earn credits in order to access a wide range of activities and facilities.

Two time bank credits will allow free entry into any Cadw site for one person. There is no limit to the amount of time bank credits one person can earn and ‘spend’ at Cadw sites – ensuring the scheme will benefit both individuals and their families.

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “Promoting greater access to Wales’s heritage and developing new and broader audiences for the historic environment are key priorities, and this scheme is a good example of Cadw working in partnership and capitalising on existing schemes to promote the historic environment to wider audiences.

Timebanking UK is an excellent scheme to encourage people to volunteer and make a contribution to their communities, in return for tangible benefits such as free entry to Welsh heritage sites, as well as an opportunity to develop their skills in a range of areas.”

Kaarin Morris, Timebanking's Regional Networks Project Manager said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Cadw. Heritage sites are an integral part of Wales’ landscape and communities, and we want to give TimeBank volunteers the opportunity to explore these wonderful places.’

‘Time-banking’ was introduced to the UK in 1998, and has since witnessed extraordinary growth, establishing links to numerous and varied settings across the public, private and community sectors. One hour’s work equals one time bank credit, which is supplied by the Time Bank Agency to the participating individual in the form of a note. Cadw accepts time credits from all time banks.

Cadw is working closely with SPICE, a time bank agency based in Cardiff, who promote the scheme to time bank volunteers and who assist with the administration of the scheme.

For more information, including on how to join a time bank scheme, as a volunteer, business or individual, visit the TimeBank website.